Overview
- Texas’ new $1 billion Education Freedom Account program drew more than 46,000 applications by Thursday morning, with families able to apply until March 17 and awards not issued on a first-come basis.
- Early state data show nearly 10% of the first 42,000 verified applicants fall into the top-priority tier that includes students with disabilities and households below 500% of the federal poverty level.
- The program offers $2,000 for homeschool support, $10,474 for private school tuition, and up to $30,000 for some students with disabilities, with funds also eligible for tutoring, therapies, transportation, technology and meals.
- A University of Houston report estimates the program’s current design could reach at most about 1.7% of Texas public school students in the short term, while survey data show 61% believe it will hurt public schools and only one in six parents plan to apply.
- Fort Bend ISD projects a roughly 1% enrollment decline—about 780 students—translating to a $7.8 million hit and prompting consideration of up to seven elementary school closures, as educators note roughly $6,100 in base state funding leaves with each departing student and warn vouchers may not cover typical private tuition or guarantee special education services.